Being “pure in heart” seems to be an impossible goal, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). A part of being pure boils down to the choices we make each day. This past Sunday, I had the privilege of listening to a presentation by Eric Tooley, president and founder of Noble Choices. Eric shared his story of his struggle with pornography. His nonprofit organization is speaking boldly about sexual topics. I would like to pass on his challenge to you: make noble choices in all areas of your life.

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Below is an excerpt from the Noble Choices web site. I encourage you to invite Eric to speak at the your schools and churches.

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Noble Choices is a nonprofit organization that helps people see all of their choices and empowers them to choose the highest quality of life.

Noble Choices believes that people make good choices when they have good information.

We help people see all of their choices.

We help people evaluate the outcome of each choice on their own goals and dreams.

“Because he love me,” says the Lord,

“I will rescue him.” Psalm 91:14

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in distress.

James 1:27

Let’s start a Valentine’s Day Revolution!

On Valentine’s Day, it is natural to focus our attention on those we love. However, I would like to challenge us to be just as aware of those who desperately need love. It is easier to ignore the pain that Valentine’s Day invokes for some people than to enter into the distress of the heartbroken, isolated, and lonely. Let’s deliberately and intently search for people that we can show God’s gracious compassion and unrelenting love. Let’s look for practical ways to demonstrate this love and “look after” those living with a relationship void.

Please share this idea with your friends: Remember orphans, widows, and the heartbroken on Valentine’s Day.

If you are in emotional pain, please know that there is hope. God is “closer to you than the blood in your veins.” Many encouraging words can be found on my Dad’s blog, Your Story Matters.

I love you. For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. I will strengthen you. I have called you by name and you are mine. I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you. — God

“May they know that You have loved them even as You have loved me.” — Jesus

On Valentine’s Day, it is natural to focus our attention on those we love. However, I would like to challenge us to be just as aware of those who desperately need love. It is easier to ignore the pain that Valentine’s Day invokes for some people than to enter into the distress of the heartbroken, isolated, and lonely. Let’s deliberately and intently search for people that we can show God’s gracious compassion and unrelenting love. We can look for practical ways to demonstrate this love and “look after” those living with a relationship void.

Help me bring about a Valentine’s Day Revolution!Please share this idea with your friends: Remember orphans, widows, and the heartbroken on Valentine’s Day.

Here are three specific ways we can “look after orphans and widows in their distress”:

2) Volunteer at a homeless shelter, particularly one that has women and children. Often, these children, while not actual orphans, are starved for attention and time. (This idea is from my sister Margy who serves this way in Nashville.)

3) I know of a young widow who needs our help. This December, my friend Angela’s thirty-four-year-old brother Joshua died suddenly from a heart problem. His wife Jennie is devastated. She needs encouragement and financial provision. Jennie was left without life insurance and with large medical debt. Any help would be appreciated.

The Joshua Wilkison Memorial Fund

In the name of: Jennie Wilkison

Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union

420 Central Avenue Northwest

Cleveland, TN 37311-4922

(423) 479-6393 (for debit cards)

Via Nancy Trotter

For cards of encouragement:

Jennie Wilkison

c/o Angela Thomas

1727 George Whittaker Lane

Knoxville, TN 37931

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If you are reading this and you are heartbroken, isolated, or lonely, please know that there is hope. God is close to the brokenhearted and he saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Many encouraging words can be found on my Dad’s blog, Your Story Matters.

For the past two years, I have proposed that we remember orphans and those who are lonely on Valentine’s Day. This year, along with caring for those who are hurting, I suggest that we do not spend any money on Valentine’s Day, and instead use that money to make a difference in the lives of orphans, widows, and homeless people. Just think of how much money is spent on chocolate, flowers, dinner, etc. Instead of showing love in these ways, let’s think of other creative ways to express our love. For example, instead of buying each other cards my husband and I have a journal where we write each other letters. This has become a treasured keepsake.

One of my friends was slightly appalled when I told her about this Valentine’s Day Conspiracy idea. She told me that her husband could still buy her flowers AND help orphans! She helped me realize that this idea may be more popular with my male readers than female readers. : ) Actually, a Valentine’s Day Conspiracy would require more effort because you would have to find ways to show love without spending money. If we start to look at Valentine’s Day in a different way, and spend our money in a different way, the good things that could happen are more than we can imagine.

External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world. James 1:27 The Amplified Bible